Baramulla, May 09: The students of Government Degree College (GDC) Langate continue to suffer as the construction of the college fails to take off, leaving students high and dry in a makeshift building at the Old Sub District Hospital in Langate.
Four years have passed and the government is yet to issue the administrative approval for the commencement of the construction of the college building.
The finance department has been allotting crores of rupees for the construction of the college every year, but every time the funds are lapsed, said the former Principal of the college, Dr. Neelofar Bhat.
“In my tenure, the DPR was prepared, 51 kanals of land were allotted to the college, funds were made available, but the pending administrative approval got the funds lapsed,” she added.
Recently, the Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara asked the college to vacate the SDH building and temporarily shift the college to the hostel building located in premises of Government Girls Higher Secondary School Langate. The R&B division has been asked to complete the finishing work of the hostel within 10 days.
“Shifting the students from a hospital building to a hostel building, the government has forgotten that this is a college in the 21st century,” said Mohamamd Umar, a student of UG Course at the college.
He said that the government doesn’t understand that a college cannot be run in the makeshift arrangement spaces, however it needs a full-fledged infrastructure.
The Principal of GDC Langate, Professor Mohammad Shafi Lone expressed his concerns over the delay in the construction of the college building.
“A vast piece of land has been allotted to the college, which is even fit for a university space, but the lack of vision among the locals is preventing the commencement of the work,” he said.
Principal GDC Langate said that the hostel building is never appropriate for the proper functioning of the college, however the health department wants us to vacate the makeshift arrangement.
“There is no alternative space available in the locality except the hostel building,” he added.
Dr. Lateef Malik, a local said that the makeshift arrangement costs the state exchequer in crores, and the amount spent on preparing the temporary buildings for functioning as college goes waste.
He said that academic environment cannot be created in a building not designed for running a college.
“The UT government must prioritise the education of students over political pressure from certain parties,” he further added.
A group of students told Rising Kashmir that how can a hostel building with bedroom size spaces be appropriate for teaching and learning process in the higher education system.
“NEP is been implemented in hospital building and hostel rooms at Langate. This is mockery of education system,” they added.
An ST community member expressed anger over the move to use ST Hostel for college accommodation, and appealed LG administration and local administration to shift the college campus to some other place so that ST hostel retains its form and purpose.
“They first construct hostels for our children, and then shift other departments into them, eventually the ST community is at loss,” he added.
Muneer Ahmad, a local resident said, “Unfortunately, the government has succumbed to the pressure from some politically motivated residents, and thereby failing our youth and education”.
“We must understand that the college does not belong to a village or a town, it belongs to the people. It doesn’t matter whether the college is constructed in the town or 2 kilometres away from it. If the feasible land has been identified in Udipora, the government must start the construction without any further delay,” he added.
“Local politics will never allow the college construction, and the younger generation is at the receiving end. Succumbing to politics at the cost of education only defeats the purpose of the college.”
The students urged the LG administration to intervene and ensure that the construction of the college starts sooner.
